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Are Hip Hop and Rap the New Rock and Roll?
The music industry has different genres. Among the most popular styles in American society over the years include rock and roll, and rap and hip hop. Notably, both of these music genres represented distinct aspects of life, as well as focusing on different aspects of the music for identity (Brown). Rock and roll preceded rap and hip hop in popularity. The former was at its peak in the 1960s and 1970s. The latter sprouted in the 1980s and boomed through the 1990Ss and 2000s (Brown). Recent years have seen the rap and hip hop genre gaining increased popularity. According to some people, rap and hip hop are the new rock and roll.
The original focus of rock music was on partying, drugs, and girls, with acts such as The Beatles, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley spearheading the genre. The genre later included youthful rebellion partly. The society back then was quite conservative, and this kind of music appealed to the youth, hence its popularity (Brown, Weingarten). On the other hand, rap and hip hop highlighted the plight of the black people during this era, such as racism, poverty, and police brutality. This music aimed to highlight the plight of the black people, though with intense vulgarity levels, through acts such as NWA, Public Enemy, Nas, and Tupac (Brown). Society has been changing over the years, with people becoming more aware of the prevailing social evils. Therefore, the music that speaks of these issues gets more attention, causing rap and hip hop to rise in popularity.
Besides, rock music was built on the energetic, aggressive, and heavy-handed atmosphere, with loud guitars and explosive, rapid rhythms. On the other hand, hip hop was keen on lyrics, borrowing ideas from poetry, literature, and spoken word, and using figurative speech and rhyme schemes (Weingarten). Rap and hip hop turned out to be more artistic, thereby attracting the public.
In conclusion, the presentation and theme of hip hop made it a preference over rock and roll in the continuously evolving society. The music’s popularity has expanded beyond the black race and has entered mainstream music. Consequently, the hip hop culture has gained influence in areas such as fashion and now talks of other topics, such as drugs, girls, and the lavish lifestyle, as rock and roll did. Therefore, it is safe to say that rap and hip hop is the new rock and roll.
Works Cited
Brown, Preezy. Rock music’s influence on the live performances and lifestyles of rap is absolute. Revolt. Web. June 11, 2018, https://www.revolt.tv/2018/6/11/20824939/rock-music-s-influence-on-the-live-performances-and-lifestyles-of-rap-is-absolute
Brown, Tristian. Rap: The new rock and roll. Web. August 13, 2018, https://www.unaffiliatedpress.ca/article/2018/7/29/rap-the-new-rock-and-roll
Weingarten, Marc. Sorry rock fans. Hip-hop is the only genre that matters right now. The Washington Post. Web. April 18, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/kendrick-lamar-proves-hip-hop-is-the-only-genre-that-matters-right-now/2018/04/17/1510e450-425b-11e8-bba2-0976a82b05a2_story.html